A solar cell structure is disclosed that includes a first metal layer, formed over predefined portions of a sun-exposed major surface of a semiconductor structure, that form electrical gridlines of the solar cell; a network of carbon nanotubes formed over the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a first metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the first metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support as well as enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.

The disclosure related to a method for making a nanowire structure. First, a free-standing carbon nanotube structure is suspended. Second, a metal layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotube structure. The metal layer is oxidized to grow metal oxide nanowires.

A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.

Embodiments of the invention determine intrinsic parameters of stacked nanowires/nanosheets GAA MOSFETs comprising N.sub.w nanowires and/or nanosheets, each nanowire/nanosheet being surrounded in an oxide layer, the oxide layers being embedded in a common gate, wherein the method comprises the following steps: measuring the following parameters of the MOSFET: number of stacked nanowires/nanosheets N.sub.W, width W.sub.W,i, of the nanowire/nanosheet number i, i being an integer from 1 to N.sub.W, thickness of the nanowire/nanosheet H.sub.W,i, number i, i being an integer from 1 to N.sub.W, corner radius R.sub.W,i of the nanowire/nanosheet number i, i being an integer from 1 to N.sub.W, R.sub.W,i; calculating, using a processor and the measured parameters, a surface potential x normalized by a thermal voltage .sub.T given by .sub.T=k.sub.BT/q; measuring the total gate capacitance for a plurality of gate voltages; determining, using the measured total gate capacitance and the calculated normalized surface potential, the intrinsic parameter of the stacked nanowires/nanosheets MOSFET.

Methods of manufacturing a 3D micro-scale structure. A 2D net including a plurality of panels and a plurality of hinges is provided. The panels are arranged in a pattern. The hinges interconnect immediately adjacent ones of the panels within the pattern. An energy source remote from the 2D net is powered to deliver energy to the 2D net. The delivered energy triggers the 2D net to self-fold into a 3D micro-scale structure. The delivered energy creates an eddy current within at least one component of the 2D net, with the eddy current generating heat sufficient to melt at least one of the hinges. The melting hinge causes the corresponding panels to fold or pivot relative to one another. In some embodiments, the energy source is a microwave energy source. In other embodiments, the energy source delivers a magnetic field.

Methods of manufacturing a 3D micro-scale structure. A 2D net including a plurality of panels and a plurality of hinges is provided. The panels are arranged in a pattern. The hinges interconnect immediately adjacent ones of the panels within the pattern. An energy source remote from the 2D net is powered to deliver energy to the 2D net. The delivered energy triggers the 2D net to self-fold into a 3D micro-scale structure. The delivered energy creates an eddy current within at least one component of the 2D net, with the eddy current generating heat sufficient to melt at least one of the hinges. The melting hinge causes the corresponding panels to fold or pivot relative to one another. In some embodiments, the energy source is a microwave energy source. In other embodiments, the energy source delivers a magnetic field.

Photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles and a method of preparing the same are described herein. A method of preparing photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles includes obtaining carbon nanodots, and treating the carbon nanodots with plasma.

Apparatus for electrical and optical nanoprobing at resolution beyond optical diffraction limit. Navigation microscope is configured for navigation to a region of interest. A probe spatial positioner supports a fork and an oscillating piezotube is attached to the free end of the fork and provides an output indicating of a distance to the sample. A single-mode optical fiber having a near-field transducer formed at an end thereof is attached to the oscillating piezotube such that the near-field transducer extends below the oscillating piezotube towards the sample. A photodetector is positioned to detect photons collected from the sample. The near-field transducer may be formed as a tapered section formed at the end of the single-mode optical fiber, a metallic coating formed at a tip of the tapered section, and an aperture formed in the metallic coating so as to expose the tip of the tapered section through the metallic coating.

A solar cell structure is disclosed that includes a first metal layer, formed over predefined portions of a sun-exposed major surface of a semiconductor structure, that form electrical gridlines of the solar cell; a network of carbon nanotubes formed over the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a first metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the first metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support as well as enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.

A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.